May Edition 2021
Inside This Issue
Physician Shortages in Medical Specialties By Linda Beattie
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VA Research Reveals Link Between Financial Strains and Risk Of Homelessness See pg. 12
INDEX Legal Matters....................... pg.3 Mental Health...................... pg.6 Healthy Heart....................... pg.8 Hospital News.................... pg.10
hysician shortages have been affecting America’s healthcare workforce for decades, contributing to a range of problems, from limited patient access and poorer outcomes to physician burnout. Despite ongoing efforts by many healthcare leaders and academics to sound the alarm and find long-term solutions, “there doesn’t seem to be a solution in sight,” said Andy Olson, divisional vice president of recruiting for internal medicine subspecialties at Merritt Hawkins, the nation’s leader in physician recruitment. “The physician shortage has always been part of the conversation, unfortunately,” said Olson who has worked in physician search and recruitment at Merritt Hawkins for more than 15 years. “We see the challenges every year, but sadly nothing has changed. Multiple bills have been introduced, and Merritt Hawkins’ leaders have even testified before Congress.” W h i l e Congress recently voted to add graduate medical education funding to last year’s COVID-19 relief package and support 1,000 new residency slots, this increase will not come close to bridging the gap between physician supply and demand. The projected shortfalls in physician specialties The most recent projections from
the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) in June of 2020 show that the United States could see a shortage of between 54,100 and 139,000 physicians by 2033. This would include shortfalls in both primary and specialty
growth between 2018 and 2033. The population under age 18 is projected to grow by only 3.9 percent, indicating low growth in demand for pediatric specialties. Yet the 65 and older population is projected to grow by 45.1 percent, indicating high demand for physician specialties that predominantly care for older Americans. Additional findings showed that if currently underserved populations are given equal access to healthcare during this time period—which is a national goal—it could create even deeper shortages, with demand rising by an additional 74,100 to 145,500 physicians. Demographics affecting shortages in medical specialties “The country’s demographics are definitely changing, and as we age as a nation, our physician population is impacted greatly,” Olson said. “We have made great advances in how we care for our elderly population,” he continued. “The average life span continues to increase, which is wonderful, but the number of babies being born each year also continues to rise, or at minimum remain steady. What that tells us is there are more patients to care for now than ever
The range of physician shortages projected by 2033 include... Primary care– between 21,400 and 55,200 physicians
Ascension Seton Williamson Announces New Certification as Primary Plus Stroke Center See pg. 13
care. The range of physician shortages projected by 2033 include the following: • Primary care -- between 21,400 and 55,200 physicians • Nonprimary care specialties – between 33,700 and 86,700 physicians ∆∆ Surgical specialties – between 17,100 and 28,700 physicians ∆∆ Medical specialties – between 9,300 and 17,800 ∆∆ Other specialties (i.e. pathology, radiology, psychiatry) – between 17,100 and 41,900 physicians The annual AAMC study found that physician demand will continue to grow faster than supply, largely driven by the aging population and an expected 10.4 percent population
see Physician Shortage...page 14
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